microtubule motor activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

A motor activity that generates movement along a microtubule, driven by ATP hydrolysis. [PMID:19686686, PMID:32684327, PMID:32842864]

Microtubule motor activity is a fundamental process in eukaryotic cells, enabling the movement of organelles, vesicles, and chromosomes along microtubule tracks. Microtubule motors are proteins that bind to and move along microtubules, using the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. They are classified into two main families: kinesins and dyneins. Kinesins typically move towards the plus end of microtubules (away from the nucleus), while dyneins move towards the minus end (towards the nucleus).

The molecular mechanism of microtubule motor activity involves a complex interplay of protein domains. The motor domain, often referred to as the "head," binds to the microtubule and uses ATP hydrolysis to generate a conformational change that drives movement. The "neck" linker region connects the motor domain to the cargo-binding domain, which interacts with the transported molecule or structure.

Kinesins and dyneins differ in their motor domains, neck linker regions, and cargo-binding domains, reflecting their diverse roles in cellular processes. For example, kinesins are involved in organelle transport, spindle formation during cell division, and axonal transport in neurons. Dyneins are essential for cilia and flagella movement, retrograde transport in neurons, and chromosome segregation during mitosis.

Microtubule motor activity is crucial for maintaining cellular organization, ensuring proper organelle distribution, enabling cell division, and facilitating intracellular transport. Dysregulation of microtubule motor activity can lead to various cellular defects and diseases.'
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Proteins (6)

Compounds (29)